Humor and Laughter History

Humor and laughter have been a part of the human culture for as long as we can go back in history. The benefits of humor are even referenced in the bible - Book of Proverbs 17.22, where it states: "A cheerful heart does good medicine, but a broken spirit makes you sick."

King Solomon gave us one of the earliest recorded accounts regarding the healing power of humor and laughter.

The ancient Greek physicians prescribed for their patients to visit the hall of comedians. They would send their patients to the theater to be entertained as part of the healing process.

Early Native Americans had clowns who worked with Witch Doctors. They too realized the powerful effects of humor and laughter in healing, The 3rd most important person in the tribe was the clown.

In the 1300's, surgeon Henri de Mondeville reportedly told jokes to his patients in the recovery room.

Throughout the centuries Court Jesters were hired to relieve the royalty's stress from their governing duties.

During the course of the ages, humor and laughter were recognized for bringing joy and happiness as therapy to speed recovery from surgery; as therapy and counseling of depressed people; as a cure for melancholy; release for excess stress and tension; treatment of the sick; and the regaining of emotional equilibrium.

In the 1600's educator Richard Mulcater recommended laughter for those suffering from head colds. However, the most significant recording of the benefits of humor and laughter came from Norman Cousins in his book 'Anatomy of an illness.'

In 1964, Dr. Cousins was diagnosed with a crippling and extremely painful inflammation of his body, which doctors diagnosed as Anklyosing Spondilitis.

He did not accept his doctor's death sentence. He checked himself out of the hospital, hired a nurse and moved into a hotel.

Along with mega doses of vitamin 'C', he watched comedy movies such as Candid Camera, the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy and many other comedy movies.

He later wrote. "I made the joyous discovery that 10 minute of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least 2 hours of pain-free sleep.

He recovered from the condition and spent 20 years teaching about the merits of humor and laughter in healing.

Experts now agree, laughter is good for you. It boosts you immune system, it relieves pain, tension and stress, it stimulates the heart, lowers blood pressure and much more.....

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